Continuous Improvement Specialist

What You’ll Do (Essential Duties and Responsibilities): 

• Lead system-wide projects that impact multiple sites/teams. Define scope, determine key deliverables, manage progress, communicate barriers, and ensure stakeholder satisfaction

• Serve as a Sealy Manufacturing Process Subject Matter Expert (SME) in cross-functional teams and events. Make recommendations and implement system-wide improvements.

• Perform plant assessments and audits, prepare action plans, and coach teams for sustainment

• Facilitate “Plan & Review” sessions with local plant teams to review previous performance and define short-term strategies for local plant improvement

• Identify, define, and present best practices and to ensure step-change improvements for standardization. Use benchmarking techniques to monitor implementation progress

• Create and maintain Value Stream Maps / Material and Information Flow Charts. Develop understanding of end-to-end process and align on a holistic improvement plan

• Create training documentation and presentations for all levels of the organization on various Lean topics. Deliver training in person or virtually over Microsoft Teams

• Keep management and plant teams informed on upcoming projects, progress, and results. Prepare and present updates to various audiences

• Create and maintain Value Stream Maps / Material and Information Flow Charts. Develop understanding and align on a holistic improvement plan

• Ability to travel 50-60%. Travel is regularly within the United States and mostly regional. Very infrequent travel outside of the states may be required

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $99,500/annually

What You’ll Need (Qualifications):

• Degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or other related field.

• Demonstrated experience in Lean Manufacturing and Process Improvement

• Mattress/Furniture Manufacturer Experience is strongly preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)

• Knowledge of Microsoft Visio (Drawing process maps, value stream maps, swim lanes)

• Knowledge of AutoCAD. (Take existing plant layout drawings to arrange, orientate, and add or remove drawing objects to create updated/proposed layouts)

• Knowledge and utilization of multiple problem-solving methodologies and implementation strategies including Ishikawa/Fishbone, 5-Why, DMAIC/Six Sigma, PDCA, 8D, and A3 (8-Step)

• Training in Toyota Production System (TPS) such as Material and Information Flow Chart and Standardized Work is preferred.